Wife wants to go do a winery tour and watch some horse racing over a long weekend. We live in the 757, have been to Laurel in MD and it was ok, decent facility and not to difficult to access, how does it compare to Charles town in WV? Have never been up that way, saw that there was a casino there also, has anyone been to both and can offer a comparison. Also any recommendations on a scenic winery to tour that also puts out a nice product? Would prefer someplace other than Hootown, once every two years is often enough to visit that place. Thanks for your help
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I like barboursville vineyards. Beautiful location/views and some of the best rated wine in the state.
I hear the commercials on the radio all the time so it must be legit. Radio stations never lie
"Elliott in the morning... who's this?": 5 minutes of spewing somewhat funny material. Followed up by...
Charles Town Racing "An incredibly exciting, friendly and total entertainment experience, practically in your own backyard! Welcome to Hollywood!"
Joseph A. Bank: "Buy one sock, get 4 suits free"
Rinse and repeat
It's been forever since I've been up to Charles Town for watching racing. But it is pretty close to some great wineries. Fauquier and Loudon have some really good wineries. Some are a little off the beaten path, but are excellent. Hartwood is one off of 17 outside of Fredericksburg that has some good wines. If you head up that way, go to Naked Mountain. It's owned by Hokies. Good stuff.
AAA also has a Virginia Wine map with info on where things are. The wife and I use this and the website below to help us plan our trips.
Virginia Wineries
I agree - there are a lot of good wineries in the Loudon area - many are close to Harpers Ferry and a relatively short drive to Charles Town. Two that I like in that area that are relatively close together are Sunset Hills and Breaux (which has a beautiful property if you want to sit outside and enjoy a glass/bottle).
https://www.visitloudoun.org/things-to-do/wine-country/clusters/
The best part is that you can hit these up on the way to Charles Town without even getting near the disaster that is the DC beltway - just cut over to route 15 at Fredericksburg. If you want to break up your drive a bit, swing by Crysalis Vineyards in Middleburg on your way up.
Hillsborough Vineyards in Loudon Conty is Hokie Owned.
Kerem's bio
His brother (another Hokie) owns a tap room in Purcellville - Belly Love Brewery
sorry for the commercial
Hillsborough is nice. Didn't realize it was Hokie owned.
I've hit 38% of those! Not bad considering I'm coming from the 757. Our greyhound adoption group usually does our annual picnic at Quattro Goomba's (the wife loves their slushies).
It really sucks that Colonial Downs folded belly up.
Agree with you there, we used to go up there 3 or 4 times per season. Easy commute, nice clean facility, lots of room. They really need to build a track in Chesapeake or suffolk, lots of demand with no place to go.
Used to go there every year with my grandparents and the whole family (we're an odd family). Lot of good memories there, especially the blues, bets, and brews festival.
Take the time and visit Saratoga in the summer (breakfast at the track, nap, afternoon racing, world class auction at night, nap) or Keeneland in the fall. Both have vineyard, distillery, brewery activities nearby too.
I know that they are a little further but well worth the extra time to experience racing at the highest level.
We live on the PA border about an hour from Charles Town. My wife and I go there once or twice a year. Horse racing and casino with slots and table games. We don't spend much money there just like to walk around and stuff. Not sure about the winery thing. We drive through Sheperdstown to get there and it is a nice town with good places to eat. Harper's Ferry is close with kayaking and tubing which is cool. You will pass by many a strip club around the Charlestown area too. lol